Hard coding

Hard coding (also hard-coding or hardcoding) is the software development practice of embedding data directly into the <a href="/facts/Source_code/o9J6Jv23">source code</a> of a <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">program</a> or other executable object, as opposed to obtaining the data from external sources or generating it at <a href="/facts/Run_time_(program_lifecycle_phase)/lCxKsrzB">runtime</a>.
Hard-coded data typically can be modified only by editing the source code and <a href="/facts/Compiling/WNfCDFJe">recompiling</a> the executable, although it can be changed in <a href="/facts/Volatile_memory/SvvPe9XB">memory</a> or on disk using a <a href="/facts/Debugger/mCe6UsWj">debugger</a> or <a href="/facts/Hex_editor/bwh3ssDI">hex editor</a>.
Data that is hard-coded is best suited for unchanging pieces of information, such as <a href="/facts/Physical_constant/uI2QvAHw">physical constants</a>, <a href="/facts/Version_number/EP8VXAUU">version numbers</a>, and static text elements.
Softcoded data, on the other hand, encodes arbitrary information through <a href="/facts/User_input/WQTE8Jas">user input</a>, <a href="/facts/Text_files/zYW4JmES">text files</a>, <a href="/facts/INI_file/3QR1Etqo">INI files</a>, HTTP server responses, configuration files, preprocessor macros, external constants, databases, <a href="/facts/Command-line_argument/R9JpGmXQ">command-line arguments</a>, and is determined at runtime.

Hard coding open-in-new

Hard coding